Ron McLeod, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, today announced that staff from his Sydney office will be visiting the Central West on 5, 6 and 7 October 2000.

They will visit Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo and attend the Women’s Gathering in Wellington.

‘I regard this as a significant visit to the Central West’ said Mr McLeod. ‘It is a part of my Office’s commitment to ensuring that people in rural and regional areas receive high quality service from Commonwealth Government agencies.
Two of my staff will be visiting community organisations in all these towns as well as holding information sessions in Bathurst and Orange.’

Mr McLeod said that this visit to the Central West was part of his Office’s continuing outreach program aimed at ensuring that residents of the Central West were aware of the assistance they could seek from the Commonwealth Ombudsman if they were experiencing difficulty in their dealings with Commonwealth government departments and agencies.

He added that most Commonwealth service delivery agencies have their own internal complaints processes, and generally when people have problems they should contact the agency first.

‘It is important that people understand that the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s Office exists to investigate complaints which cannot be resolved with the government agency’ Mr McLeod said.

People wishing to make a complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman can telephone the National Complaints Line on 1300 362 072; or visit the internet website at www.ombudsman.gov.au

Media Contact

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Email – Media@ombudsman.gov.au

Date of release: 6 September 2000